Dear friends,

On Thursday, a proposal will be unveiled that would legalize commercial whale hunting for the first time in 24 years.

The fate of the proposal will be determined largely by the world’s immediate reactions to it — and according to insiders, many governments are planning to stand aside and allow commercial whaling to resume. An outcry is needed now to ensure they stand strong to save the whales.

Avaaz has launched a last-moment petition to show our leaders their people want to protect whales, not hunt, kill, and sell them. The petition will be sent to the delegates to the International Whaling Commission every time we raise another 100,000 signatures — sign here and forward this message:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/whales_under_threat/98.php?CLICKTF

A strong international consensus has opposed whaling for decades — but for just as long, Japan, Norway, and Iceland have continued to hunt whales, ignoring the global ban on whaling or exploiting a loophole by claiming their expeditions were “scientific research.” Now they could be rewarded by a “compromise” proposal, in which their commercial whaling would be made legal.

Worse still, a number of other countries are watching the process closely — with rumored plans to start their own whaling programs if the proposal goes through. If Japan, Norway, and Iceland can hunt whales and sell their meat, others will ask “if them, why not us?”

It’s time to save the whales — again. Click HERE and forward this message to oppose the legalization of commercial whale hunting:

Forty years ago, whales were on the brink of extinction. But thanks to a global social movement, the world banned commercial whaling in 1986. The ban is one of the environmental movement’s great triumphs. (More info on the ban HERE)

Today, whales still face many threats: not just the whalers’ harpoons, but also climate change, destruction of ecosystems by overfishing and pollution, and nets intended for other fish. A renewed wave of commercial whaling could devastate these extraordinarily intelligent and social cousins of humanity. This is no time to move backwards.

With hope,

Ben, Ricken, Paula, Iain, David, Luis, and the whole Avaaz team

SOURCES:

Background on the 1986 international moratorium on whaling:

The most recent public draft of the IWC compromise proposal that is currently being updated:

An AFP article describing the state of whaling negotiations last week:

According to Greenpeace, this deal would permit whaling even in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (So much for it being a “place of refuge or safety” !!)

As it is – there is no-one enforcing the ban in the Sanctuary apart from International Volunteers such as Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. I suggest you watch Animal Planets Whale Wars to see exactly how these volunteers are risking their lives to enforce the safety of the whales.

It’s outrageous that the United States is wanting to be a part of legalising this awful industry. We need to stop this greedy action.

Take action here Obama, Say No to commericial whaling.

AND

Here if you haven’t already done so –> Avaaz.org

Here’s a NOT SO gentle reminder of what Whaling entails:

Image courtesy of Blog http://stophuntingwhales.blogspot.com/

Image from GreenpeaceUK via http://deuxsoeurscreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/awareness-thursday-whale-of-tale.html

A bloody battle, photo courtesy of the Sidney Morning Herald

And on a more pleasant note:

HOW THE WHALES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE:

Photo via http://www.zoobangoo.com/content/tag/mammals/

OH!

One more way to help

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

(here’s that nifty little share button again to make it easier )

Much Love

Kojii